Buffalo NY vs Rio Rancho NM — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Buffalo, NY
New York · Population: 276,397
- Median HH Income$48,050
- Median Home Price$241,380
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Rio Rancho, NM
New Mexico · Population: 47,823
- Median HH Income$50,294
- Median Home Price$362,476
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+19.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 47,823 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 36.8 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 11.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 45.4% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 32.9% | 1.8% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 1.6% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Rio Rancho +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Buffalo +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Rio Rancho +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Buffalo +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $50,294 | Rio Rancho + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $28,418 | Buffalo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $53,141 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 5.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 24.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 19.6% | Buffalo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $362,476 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Buffalo +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 834 | Buffalo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 3177 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.5% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 55.7°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rio Rancho leads in median household income at $50,294, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Buffalo is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Rio Rancho has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rio Rancho scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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